As a new caregiver, you might have a lot of responsibilities. As you look forward to spending time with your loved one, you may also wonder how you will manage your caregiving duties.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Roseville Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Experienced home care professionals share a few essential tips for new caregivers.
1. Establish a Routine
Having a routine could help you manage stress and ensure your loved one receives assistance with daily activities such as taking a bath. Seniors with memory loss also rely on daily routines because it helps them remember what to do next.
2. Embrace Technology
There are several ways technology can help you manage your caregiving tasks. For example, you can use an automated medication dispenser to ensure your loved one takes his or her pills on time and in the correct dosage. These can also be used to maintain a log to check whether or not your loved one has taken the medication. Medical alert systems, automatic shut off appliances, and security cameras are a few more technologies you can use as a caregiver.
3. Avoid Going Overboard
It is natural to want to pamper your loved one, especially when he or she is ill or injured. However, you should keep in mind that no one benefits from excessive pampering. Caregivers should promote independence by assisting seniors with tasks they can do themselves. For example, your loved one could sit at the table and mix ingredients while you are chopping vegetables for a meal. Similarly, he or she can use dressing aids to fasten buttons when getting dressed.
4. Arrange for Support
Although you feel a sense of obligation for your loved one, you should remember you can only meet his or her needs when you are of sound health and mind. Therefore, it is important to arrange for respite care so you can attend your doctor appointments, take a day off when you are sick, or just take a brief break to alleviate stress before it affects your ability to provide care. Support can also be in the form of group sessions where you meet and talk to other caregivers about strategies for care, or you may lean on your siblings for help with important decisions.
If you’re providing care for an elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s or other form of cognitive impairment, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Roseville Alzheimer’s care professionals are available around the clock to help seniors manage the challenges of Alzheimer’s. Whether your loved one requires cognitive stimulation, transportation to medical appointments, or assistance with daily tasks, expertly trained Alzheimer’s caregivers are the ideal solution.
5. Use Communication Tools
When more than one caregiver provides assistance for your loved one, make sure everyone is on the same page. Use a caregiver’s journal to write down changes to your loved one’s routine that the incoming caregiver can read at the beginning of the next shift. Medication logs, wall calendars, and text reminders can ensure continuity of care when a senior receives support from several caregivers.
If your aging loved one needs help managing the tasks of daily living and you’re searching for a reliable, expertly trained home caregiver, Roseville, CA, Home Care Assistance is your top choice. At Home Care Assistance, our caregivers strive to make aging in place a safer and more comfortable experience for seniors so they can enjoy their golden years in better health. To hire a dedicated, experienced, and professional caregiver for your aging loved one, give us a call today at 916.472.0605.